Unlike other new real estate pojects in Cambodia that invovle residential condos or luxury shopping malls, Oriental Entertainment co.,ltd is taking a different approach and will instead focus on creating a culutral precinct that will sell items relating to tourism and culture.

Oriental Entertainment general manager Shu Wen He said it would be the company’s first investment in Phnom Penh. The company, which is headquartered in China, already has succeeded in numerous theatre and mall projects in Beijing and other Chinese cities.

Oriental’s project, which kicked off construction last month, sits on about 5,000 square metres of land on Kim Il-Sung Street in Toul Kouk’s commercial zone. Wen He expects the 7-storey multi-cultural hall will be able to house about 500 audience members once it is complete.

“Once built, the whole project will sit on 24,780 square metres with 5,000 square meters dedicated for the theatre. We will also have a hotel and a classic shopping mall,” he said.

“All up the project will cost about $32 million to complete and will open in the fourth quarter of next year.”

The project will consist of traditional-themed shopping malls, restaurants and an elegant hotel.

He added, “Oriental hotel will only have 56 rooms, but each room has a big space and is decorated with different Asian traditions and cultural themes, including the culture of the Khmer people, Chinese and other ASEAN countries.”

“The company expects to welcome many national and international audiences to watch historic and cultural shows relating to Cambodia’s history and traditions.”

Thai Noreak Sathya, secretary of state at the Culture Ministry, said he was optimistic at any development project that emphasises cultural awareness.

“Investment projects related to tourism and culture are also propping up in Siem Reap and receive a lot of support,” he added.